Mummy, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -1

Done in the Indiana Jones style, this crowd pleaser captures a romantic spirit of adventure and a fascination with the secrets of ancient Egypt. 1920s soldier of fortune Rick OConnell (Brendan Fraser), Evelyn (Rachel Weisz), a beautiful Egyptologist, and her brother Jonathan (John Hannah) discover the ruins of the 3000 year old Egyptian city of Hamunaptrafamed for the legendary riches buried beneath it. Also buried there is a mummy with a terrible curse, who, if disturbed, will unleash the ten plagues of Egypt. Along with greedy American treasure hunters, Ricks group unknowingly releases the mummy, Imhotep, and the power of his curse. Battling against Imhotep and his mummy warriors, they must find a way to end the curse before he turns Evelyn into the host for his lost loves spirit. The make-up and special effects create spectacular scenes in this rousing adventure. And the lighter tone of the heroes makes THE MUMMY less of a horror film and a real crowd pleaser.

Keeping with 1920s era, foul language is limited to crudities and some irreverent uses of Gods name. Some of the violent images, however, are particularly gruesome. Flesh-eating beetles devour both mummies and live people, and Imhoteps gory skeleton absorbs new skin and body parts from his victims. One gross scene shows a beetle crawling out of a hole in Imhoteps neck and into his mouth where its promptly chewed. Battles with a desert tribe, resulting in numerous shooting deaths, and conflicts with a mummy army, portrayed humorously at times, can potentially desensitize younger viewers to graphic violence. Imhoteps powers seem to be occultic, but more disturbing is crediting him with control of the ten Biblical plagues. The Bible says even pharoahs magicians could not duplicate these miracles. Although it recalls grand adventure films, THE MUMMY is too wrapped up with gory violence, crude language, and occultic factors to be recommended, especially for younger viewers.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Universal Pictures